10/07/2014

Rock-Pop Review: The Beatles- Revolver Mono 180 Gram LP

Release Date: September 9, 2014
Label: Capitol/Parlophone

Now we have The Beatles in Mono and the icing on the cake for music fans is that it is on 180m gram vinyl with replicated artwork and newly mastered from the analogue master tapes. This is what the band sounded like to most listeners who heard the group for the first time in the 60s. This is how they were meant to sound and the band acknowledged mono as their primary choice even though the tracks were mixed in stereo as well. 

For fans beyond the 60s this may be the first opportunity to hear the music in this format. The mono CD box set has been available since 2009 and now the LP version is ready. You can buy all 14 albums in a box set format (listed on Amazon currently at $374.99) or separately ($26.95 on Amazon currently or $22.98 direct from the band's site). So you either hand pick the releases you want or you buy the entire set and save a paltry 3 bucks. I think most folks would prefer to buy them all piece meal to complete the set.

If you are a true Beatles fan you just love all their music and either format is appreciated in equal measure. Although some fans have very strong opinions and preferences, I am not one of those. 

Revolver (1966) was a breakthrough in change and overall sound that started with Rubber Soul. The problem for this listener is what tracks to choose as my key tracks. Every song is an adventure from my viewpoint. What was different about Revolver is the experimentation that began that would of course then go to the next level with their follow up Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

I feel the most prolific tracks that had the most impact at the time of the release of this recording were “Taxman,” “Eleanor Rigby” and “Got To Get You Into My Life.” All of them were hit singles but what Beatles track wasn’t? I do remember my siblings spinning the records and hearing the music on the radio and to this day I still love it. There are very few bands from the 60s that I still hold in such high esteem as The Beatles. Revolver is one of my favorite albums.

The meticulous care that went into this process is admirable and the end results are vinyl LPs that are beautifully represented with outstanding sound. The warmth and clarity of each song is a bit of a revelation for the over indulgent listeners immersed in the digital space. This kind of process is happening more often with other recording artists. Like the saying goes, history repeats itself and we end up going back to where we started. In this case from a musical standpoint, that is a good thing! I enjoyed the remastered CDs in stereo when they came out in 2009 and now I can appreciate this music in a different way listening to this vinyl. That is the beauty of having all of these formats at our disposal. The choice is yours, The Beatles in stereo or mono. Any way you look at it you win. Collectors will adore this new version and certainly will have no problem taking out their wallets one more time for these quality LPs.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Taxman, Eleanor Rigby, Got To Get You Into My Life

Side One:
01. Taxman
02. Eleanor Rigby
03. I'm Only Sleeping
04. Love You To/Here, There And Everywhere
05. Yellow Submarine
06. She Said She Said
 
Side Two:
07. Good Day Sunshine
08. And Your Bird Can Sing
09. For No One
10. Doctor Robert
11. I Want To Tell You
12. Got To Get You Into My Life
13. Tomorrow Never Knows

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Write A Music Review Founder

October 7, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music

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